ASDA LEAGUE DIVISION ONE NEWS

14 November 2005 11:54

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Bottom-placed Blackwood beat Builth Wells 31-15 and fellow strugglers Fleur De Lys sneaked home 17-16 at UWIC, while leaders Bonymaen saw their perfect nine-from-nine record end with a 14-all draw at second-placed Cwmllynfell.

"The draw was a fair result given the conditions," Cwmllynfell coach Mike Lewis said. "It was a cracking game of rugby and everyone got their money's worth. Bonymaen really entered into the spirit of things and it was a good advertisement for rugby."

Fullback Peter Thomas kicked three crucial penalty goals for the home side, and Lewis admitted Thomas' goal-kicking was keeping his side in the hunt this season.

"Peter is a very consistent kicker," he said. "He averages about 15 points a game and you can really count on him."

Ironically, Cwmllynfell's gutsy draw sees them drop a place in the table, with Whitland taking over second after a comfortable 29-6 win over Beddau. Winger Dion Thomas scored twice for the winners, with Beddau outside-half supplying his side's only points with two dropped goals.

Luke Knight and Gareth Davies scored braces of tries in Blackwood's comfortable victory over Builth Wells, although Blackwood needed to move up a gear in the second half after being held to 17-12 at the break.

UWIC were hot favourites ahead of their home game against struggling Fleur De Lys, but the visitors escaped with a 17-16 victory on the back of tries to Pete Morris and Dan Ventner. Both tries were converted by Neil Gittings, whose solitary penalty goal proved crucial in the final scoreline.

Caerphilly's Virginia Park fortress remains intact with a 33-29 win over Merthyr, with a try double to winger Craig Marshman proving the difference.Merthyr's Neil Burnett kept his side in touch with five penalty goals.

Mid-table Llangennech stunned fourth-placed Waunarlwydd 27-8, with outside-half Ellis Phillips adding a try to his four penalty goals as the home side sped to a 17-3 lead at halftime before holding on for an impressive victory.

Newbridge outside-half Greg Jones kicked four goals in his side's 25-17 win at Ystrad Rhondda. The Llanharan-Narbeth match was postponed because of unplayable pitch.

British & Irish Lions trio Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar return to the Wales starting line-up for Saturday's crucial NatWest 6 Nations encounter in Dublin against Ireland where Warren Gatland's men will be seeking their second scalp of the campaign.

Wales forward coach Robin McBryde has given Welsh fans a major boost ahead of this weekend's vital NatWest 6 Nations clash by declaring "Everybody has been given the green light," with injured trio Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny all back in training.

The Wales squad met back up this morning to prepare for the clash against England - WRU TV caught up with Neil Jenkins who said the squad were under no illusions for their next task but a trip to Twickenham doesn't hold any fears for a confident Wales side.

Wales hooker Ken Owens was delighted to get the NatWest 6 Nations off to a flying start with a convincing win against Scotland, where he says the squad were determined to deliver a performance 'from minute one.'

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will create history in the opening round of the NatWest 6 Nations clash at Stade de France where France face Ireland, when he surpasses the previous record of 17 Six Nations matches held by Alain Rolland and Jonathan Kaplan, as WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie discovers

Just two days until the NatWest 6 Nations kicks off. George North takes WRU TV around the players area at Principality Stadium after going through security - which fans will have to do on Saturday. Gates open at 11.15 - don't leave it late!

Next in the series of #TheTeamRoom we listen in to the first leadership group in camp. The players were asked to nominate their peers who they wanted to represent them on the group and we hear what Warren and the players have to say.